It’s not so easy being a Democrat this year. Incumbent senators up for re-election and even new candidates are facing troubling poll numbers as the political winds have shifted thanks, at least in part, to a long drawn-out battle on health care. But many Senate hopefuls in battleground states have one major advantage: cash on hand. They especially seem to benefit in states where the Republicans are locked in primaries.
Based on the first quarter fundraising reports compiled by a Democratic source and verified via the Federal Election Commission, most of the Democratic senators and candidates have more money — in some cases millions more — in the bank than their GOP rivals. The Democrats even lead in states where they have primary fights of their own. Of course, that’s what you’d expect when you’re the party in power, hold Senate chairmanships and the president helps you raise money across the country.
Either party can cherry pick numbers from financial reports to suggest they are better positioned, to be sure. The Democrats like these figures because they see GOP wars playing out from California to Kentucky and think their candidates will be on solid financial ground. They also are smiling this month since reports show their campaign committees also have a financial advantage, thanks in part to the passage of health care.
See the numbers below. The two exceptions are Florida and New Hampshire.
In the Sunshine State, Gov. Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio are facing off. Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL) trails them in cash. In the Granite State, the Democratic candidate Rep. Paul Hodes trails one of the GOP contenders by about $100,000.
Nevada
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is having a rough time in the race to hold onto his seat, but holds a wide cash advantage over the eight Republicans (and one official Tea Party candidate) aiming to replace him.
Reid has $9.4 million cash on hand.
The closest GOPer to his money advantage is little-known candidate John Chachas, who has $1.3 million the bank. Sue Lowden has $268,895 and Danny Tarkanian has $280,401, the reports show.
California
Sen. Barbara Boxer, chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, recently hosted President Obama for a major fundraiser. She had $8.7 million in the bank as of March 30. Republican rival Carly Fiorina had $2.8 million, Tom Campbell had $1.1 million and Chuck DeVore had $411,000.
Colorado
Sen. Michael Bennet, appointed to replace Ken Salazar when he was named to the Department of Interior, also is being targeted in a primary. But he has $3.57 million cash on hand. Republican Jane Norton has $643,000, Tom Wiens has $544,708 and conservative favorite Ken Buck has $416,643.
Indiana
Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) was handpicked to run as the Democrat after Sen. Evan Bayh announced his surprise retirement. He has $1.05 million in the bank after being in the race just a few months. Former Republican Sen. Dan Coats has $331,057. John Hostettler’s and tea party candidate and conservative favorite Marlin Stutzman’s total weren’t available via the Federal Election Committee. Stutzman recently earned the endorsement of Sen. Jim DeMint’s Senate Conservatives Fund.
Arkansas
Sen. Blanche Lincoln, being primaried on the left by Bill Halter, has a massive war chest of $4.3 million and also has benefited from top Democratic fundraisers including Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. Gilbert Baker has $501,123, Rep. John Boozman has $562,645.
Pennsylvania
Sen. Arlen Specter — who converted to being a Democrat last spring and has the White House’s blessing — has a whopping $9 million in the bank. He is facing a primary challenge from Rep. Joe Sestak, a favorite of progressives. Sestak also holds an advantage, with $5.27 million cash on hand. Republican candidate Pat Toomey had $4 million in the bank as of March 30.
Kentucky
Jack Conway has $1.3 million in the bank. He’s running in a nasty Democratic primary against Dan Mongiardo, who has just under $796,000 in the bank. Republicans Trey Grayson and Rand Paul also are slugging it out big time. Grayson, the establishment candidate, has $1.13 million cash on hand. Paul has $1.1 million and is attracting top Republican campaigners including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
New Hampshire
Hodes has $1.67 million in the bank as the Republicans battle for this open seat currently held by the GOP. Republican Bill Binnie has $1.79 million cash on hand, beating Hodes. The other Republicans are Kelly Ayotte, with $1.3 million, Jim Bender with $1 million and Ovide Lamontagne with $227,371.
